Governance and Regulatory Lead | Lagos, Nigeria | 2023

Chemonics seeks a Governance and Regulatory Lead for the USAID Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Activity (LUWASH) in Nigeria. The USAID Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Activity (LUWASH) is a $44 million water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activity which LUWASH will increase the availability, quality and use of safe water and sanitation services and improve the governance and sustainable management of associated sector institutions in Lagos, Nigeria. Through an integrated, market-based approach, LUWASH will work across the value chain of WASH services to bolster supply and manage demand within a strengthened framework of sector governance, financing, and regulated services. The activity aims to catalyze sector transformation and generate WASH service improvements for at least 4 million people in low-income communities and build a foundation for continued progress beyond LUWASH.

Component 1 of the LUWASH program focuses on strengthening governance and institutional arrangements necessary for achieving sustainable WASH outcomes in the long run. This will be carried through three main sub-components: 1) Improve the policy, legal, and regulatory environments of both public and alternative private providers; 2) Enhance the capacity of sector institutions to improve accountability, equity, and transparency in the sector; and 3) Support government planning efforts to manage water resources and incorporate the risks associated with climate change.

The Governance and Regulatory Lead will manage implementation of Component 1 tasks to achieve required results, under the overall leadership and close coordination with the Chief of Party. Along with an Accountability and Monitoring Specialist, this role will work from within key institutions, including Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LAWARCO) and the Ministry of Environment, identifying needs as they arise and providing capacity support and technical assistance in response. At the same time, this role will work with these institutional stakeholders and CSOs to jointly develop accountability and monitoring systems for urban WASH services.

This position will be based in Lagos, Nigeria. Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 95 countries. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities:

The Component 1 / Governance and Regulatory Lead will be responsible for the following:

• Oversee all activities associated with Component 1: Governance and Institutional Arrangements Strengthened to Deliver Improved WASH Services
• Coordinate with Chief of Party and component team leaders to ensure that all Component 1 activities are aligned with the overall scope and objectives of the program
• Draft annual work plans and design and manage activities listed within the work plan to achieve Component 1 required results
• Oversee mapping of the policy, institutions, and regulation (PIR) landscape, determining responsibilities and identifying elements to change to ensure accountability and effective service delivery
• Develop and enforce effective planning and management frameworks for water resources and ensure these frameworks are integrated into technical activities across project components
• Oversee institutional development and capacity building initiatives with LWC, LSWMO and LAWARCO to strengthen their ability to carry out more effective, accountable, and transparent sector management and regulation
• Build on, coordinate, and leverage results and successes of relevant previous and ongoing WASH in Nigeria and Lagos
• Supervise the Component 1 team and oversee all short-term technical assistance carried out under the Component 1 tasks
• Develop and maintain highly collaborative relationships with counterparts and relevant water stakeholders to successfully develop and implement project activities
• Serve as a representative of the project to USAID, as needed, in coordination with the Chief of Party to proactively communicate progress, achievements, and challenges
• Provide support and advice to the Chief of Party for resolution of complex issues, timely completion of tasks, and achievement of project goals and objectives
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in engineering, Management, Urban Planning, or any relevant social science.
• Minimum of five years’ experience working on water and sanitation sector reforms and utility management enabling environments at senior level
• Demonstrated understanding of the institutional and legal framework in Lagos state and Nigeria at the federal level for WASH services, resources management and regulation
• Experience working on urban water supply systems and community-based water supply and sanitation services is strongly preferred
• A good understanding of operational challenges of water service providers in Nigeria, specifically Lagos
• Professional level of technical or managerial WASH knowledge, skills, and experience providing technical and management support related to similarly sized programs
• Experience using integrated approaches to WASH including systems thinking
• Demonstrated capacity strengthening skills and experience with focus on institutionalizing capacity strengthening systems within partner organizations
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the technical and managerial responsibilities proposed
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity